Welcome to the

South Dublin County Public Participation Network

Information Meeting

September 10th 2014

Public Participation NetworkBackground

Putting People First – Action Programme for Effective Local Government,

October 2012

Democratic deficit at local level due to a perceived absence of meaningful opportunities for civic participation in decision making about

local issues

Public Participation Network

Background

National Report of the Working Group on Citizen Engagement with Local Government, December 2013 - Chaired by Fr. Seán Healy:

Facilitate more extensive and diverse input into decision making by citizens at local level

Currently in this County we have the Platform and Forum

and SDCC seeks community representation for committees through these networks

Public Participation Network

Background

• South Dublin selected as a pilot PPN area and reported to Department in May

• Meetings with Community Platform, Community Forum and Environmental Pillar

Public Participation Network

Structure

• Plenary – County level issues

• Secretariat – facilitation and communication

• Linkage Groups – specific issues and nominees for Council committees

Public Participation Network

Structure

Groups must register and

opt for one of 3 Pillars:

• Community

• Social Inclusion

• Environment

Public Participation NetworkStructure

Community Pillar:The main aim / activity of a community pillar member

organisation is to improve quality of life and community wellbeing. Groups who do not fit under the social inclusion or environment pillar should fit

within the community pillar. Groups may be involved in sports, arts, leisure, community development, active retirement, residents associations, youth,

community safety, cultural activities, festivals etc. Volunteers are essential to the sustainability of

these groups.

Public Participation NetworkStructure

Social Inclusion Pillar: The main aim / activity of a social inclusion pillar member organisation

centres on working to improve the life chances and opportunities of those who are marginalised in society, living in poverty or in unemployment. Social inclusion organisations use community development approaches to build sustainable communities, where the values of equality and inclusion are promoted and human rights are respected. They focus on social justice and on working with the most marginalised, including:

Families on low income People with inadequate educational/training qualifications Ethnic minorities Travellers People with disabilities Disadvantaged women Substance abuse or dependency Homelessness

Public Participation Network

Structure

Environment Pillar: The main aim / activity of an environment pillar member

organisation is environmental (i.e. ecological) protection and/or environmental sustainability. They focus on work which may include:

Protection of wildlife Organic horticulture Environmental protection, education and sustainability Resource efficiency and recycling Invasive alien species prevention and removal

A list of agreed national networks whose local networks will be eligible to join the environment pillar of the PPN can be found at www.environmentalpillar.ie

Public Participation Network

County Plenary

• Ruling body of the PPN and made up of all registered community, environmental and voluntary organisations in the County

• One vote per organisation• 2 representatives per organisation (one + one

alternate)• 2 formal meetings per year• One County Register – all environmental, voluntary

and social inclusion groups• Registration by a given date to secure voting rights

for the coming year

Public Participation Network

Secretariat

• Equal representation from each of the 3 pillars (Community, Social Inclusion, Environment) – minimum of 2 representatives each

• Office and resource worker to be provided• At least 4 meetings per year• Facilitate the implementation of Plenary decisions• Ensure proper functioning of PPN in between Plenary

meetings• Coordinate the activities of the PPN• Communicate with PPN members • Manage the Resource Worker

Public Participation Network

Linkage Groups

• Formed for the purposes of providing representation to Council committees and structures

• Secretariat notifies all PPN Members of the vacancy and calls a meeting of interested groups

• Linkage group chooses a representative • Representative meets with linkage group regularly and

report after each meeting of the committee / structure• Representative takes direction from the linkage group

Public Participation Network

County Register

• One County Register for all environmental, voluntary and social inclusion groups, a copy of which will be maintained by the Local Authority

• All groups to be registered by October 10th 2014 in order to have voting rights for the next 12 months

• Collection of existing information is ongoing • Regular newsletters and information about grants,

events, activities etc. will be circulated to all registered groups

• Relevant funding agencies will determine criteria for funding programmes

Public Participation Network

1st Plenary to take place on Tuesday 21st October at 7.30pm in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel

- Secretariat to be selected

- Linkage Groups to secure members

Public Participation Network

Thank you for attending

Please feel free to ask questions

http://www.sdccppn.ie/